Celebrating My First 10 Countries

When I was a kid, I would always dream about being somewhere other than the place I was in at that very moment. Whether it be the glaciers of Alaska or the deserts of the Sahara, I knew that I was made to travel, meant to see the world. So after college, I promised myself that I would do my best to live a life that would take me to places I can never imagine I will be in.

Five years after, I am still me, but 10 countries and a million memories more inside me. Let us all count down the first 10 countries I have visited outside the Philippines. Links on the stories will direct you to my special features about those places.

1. Thailand (2011)

Bangkok, Thailand

This was my very first time to travel without my parents and my first to another foreign country after 14 years. I went to Thailand with my cousin Judy and my College Classmate Ralph. We visited the capital City of Bangkok including Wat Benchamabopitr, Grand Palace, and so much more. Also the ancient City of Ayutthaya and it's temples. It was a great experience especially the shopping and the food. 

2. Hong Kong (2012)

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

After visiting many islands on the Philippines during the later parts of 2011, Hong Kong was my next adventure. Together with my Cousins Judy and Jonjon and his family, we traveled around the city including main parts such as Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Ocean Park.

3. Macau (2012)

San Ma Lo, Macau

Just a ferry ride away from the Fragrant Harbour of Hong Kong, is Macau S.A.R. It is very nice mixing colonial with modernity, Macau has preserved it's fusion of Chinese and Portuguese culture and its development throughout the years. Ruinhas de Sao Paulo is a very iconic landmark in the country together with a lot of Casinos and Resorts that caters millions of tourists every single year.

4. Singapore (2012, 2013)

Sentosa, Singapore

My first trip to Singapore was with my highschool classmates. It was so much fun and we have visited so many places including Sentosa Park and Marina Sands. It was just a quick two day trip since we have to go to Malaysia on the third Morning.

Last 2013, a school trip to Singapore happened in the Month of May. The whole Computer Studies Department of DLSU-D, which I was a part of, joined several University visits and trips. National University of Singapore, Christie Technologies and Nanyang Technological University was a big part of the convention.

5. Malaysia (2012)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

We spent another two night in the Malaysian Capital of Kuala Lumpur with my friends from Highschool. It was a happy trip as we visited several sights on the city including the Batu Caves and of course, the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.

6. China (2013, 2014)

Beijing, China

It was my very first Winter, Northern China was spectacular especially with some snow on it. Together with my cousin Judy and my Dad, we traveled all around the cities of Beijing and Tianjin. In Beijing, we visited the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs and the famous Great Wall of China. after an hour train ride, we reached the City of Tianjin and explored the city for a day before leaving in the afternoon for Beijing.

Last November 2014, it was my second trip to the country but this time I visited the South Eastern part including the cities of Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Quanzhou where my grandfather lived. For two weeks, it was an amazing trip and unforgettable because aside from the beauty of the region, seeing my Chinese family is just a magical moment for me.

7. Japan (2013)

 Nagoya, Japan

With the greatness of my dearest Ate Minneth who is our family friend, I visited her in the Land of the Rising Sun. She was so gracious and we were so happy even if she is not feeling well. We went around the City of Nagoya where she lives with her family. Visited the Nagoya Castle, Nagoya Aquarium and so many more beautiful places! Also, I visited my amazing cousin Ate Carmina who was in Tokyo during that time. We visited Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Shibuya and Meiji Shrine.

8. Vietnam (2014)

Ben Tre, Vietnam

It was another twin country trip for me and my cousin Ate Judy but this time it was with my brother Wilson. We started our trip at the Vietnamese City of Ho Chi Minh where we did a lot of shopping and food tripping. We also visited the Mekong River Delta at the city of Ben Tre and cruised through the waters.

9. Cambodia (2014)

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The second leg of our Indochina twin country trip was in Cambodia. The Khmer Kingdom was filled with dusty roads, friendly people, and beautiful temples. Phnom Penh was our first stop during our long haul bus ride until we reached the Ancient Capital of Siem Reap. There was the famous Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples including The Bayon and Tah Prom.

10. United States of America (2015)

Hollywood, California

I kicked-off the start of my 25th year in the United States and it was awesome! Visited my brother in Hayward and traveled through the coastal cities of California including my favorite City of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In San Francisco, I Celebrated my 25th Birthday being lost in a very good way. Also, I visited my classmate Paula on her sleepless but surprisingly peaceful City of Seattle in the state of Washington.

I visited 10 countries in just 4 years time and I am hoping and praying to the Lord that I get to see more countries in the next coming years and hopefully I can circle the globe setting foot on as many lands, smiling and laughing with as many people, and live more experiences and make them priceless memories.

Cruising Through the Mekong

From the Tibetan Plateau of Yunnan province in the People's Republic of China, the Mekong river including its tributaries, passes through several countries in South East Asia. Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and all the way to Vietnam.

Boats or ferries that tours travellers around the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

From Ho Chi Minh City, we traveled about 2-3 hours by van due south all the way to the city of Ben Tre located at the province of the same name. In Ben Tre, there is a river delta where the Mekong River meets up with the southern waters of the Vietnamese country. As we arrived at the port/station, we were greeted by beautiful boats that will give us a trip around the river delta.

Me aboard the beautiful boats around the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

I was with my brother Wilson and cousin Judy and we were joined by four other travellers. A couple from Alaska and another couple from Australia. They were friendly and nice and I even get to be friends with the Alaskan couple Karen and Mike Tennison. Karen and Mike are just really cool people and they are so much fun to be with. I am so lucky to have met them on this trip!

Alaskan couple Karen and Mike Tennison, my new friends at Vietnam

Que Dua Coconut Candy, our first stop at Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Our first stop was a place called Que Dua, which was a coconut candy factory. In there you can see how the whole processing of these sweet candies are being done. From turning coconuts into oil and then used with flavorings, up until it is hardened and cut into small pieces, you will really see how intricate the techniques on making those delicious little treats. It is sweet and bite sized but be careful though because it sticks in your teeth.

Right after that, we boarded a small boat and went to go to Lunch and then to a honeybee farm were there wee products for us to try like their freshly farmed honey, banana wine and the expensive but very nutritious royal jelly.

Vietnamese, American, Australian and Filipino happily on a boat in Vietnam

Our guide and the Aussie couple at the Honeybee farm, Vietnam

Right after the tasting and a few buying, we then board another type of boat! These ones were very small and narrow and can only fit about four passengers and a guide. As the guide paddles, we went inside these beautiful Nipa Palm arched passways that were naturally formed by the river. It creates a magical athmosphere as we slowly and gently pass through them.

Me and Ate Judy at the smaller boats, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Me at the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre, Vietnam

At the end of these beautiful and narrow river-ways, we got out of the boats walked a few hundred meters were a feast was prepared for us. A feast of different local tropical foods that can also be found here in the Philippines. Pineapple, Jackfruit, Papaya, Mangoes and Longans.

Tropical Fruit Feast, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Right after a healthy snack, we walked all the way back to our very first boat and it took us back to the port were our trip has started. The water of the Mekong river was chocolate brown or shall I say, coffee-with-creamer brown. Not because it is dirty but because of the rich amount of silt that comes with it as it starts it's trudge from the uplands of China.

My Brother Wilson, our Guide and Me, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

After we said our goodbyes at the van, we were dropped one by one on our hotels and then we aid goodbye and thanks to our driver and to our guide. I am so sorry I forgot her name but she was really cool and she knows a lot of things about the Philippines and our Language. Thank you Vietnam, I really enjoyed not just your culture but also the beauty of nature that surrounds your historic country.

Thank You Mekong, Thank You Vietnam